Discussions By Condition: I cannot get a diagnosis.

Chonic foot itch (Lyme related?)

For the past few years I can not stop my foot itch which is particularly a problem after I go to bed. I have used a wide variety of powders and creams and they very frequently give temporary relief (a few hours), but none of them stop the itch from coming back the next night.

The only thing that I can relate it to is that it started when I had a rather severe case of Lyme disease. I know Lyme disease can cause some strange symtoms, but I think it's a stretch to assume it is a result of that disease.

The doctors sort of dismiss it as unimportant, but it sure is an annoyance. Any ideas?

3 Replies:

I have had constant foot itch at night when I went to bed too. I have been taking Benedryl every night for relief. Recently though I started getting Numb toes and the balls of my feet. It spread to the heel and then completely up my shins to my knees. It is so annoying. Have you felt anything like this? I have had bloodwork done and vist my doctor tomorrow. No pain reliever helps!

When you had Lyme disease, were you given the standard treatment of antibiotics? If so, you could have a yeast or fungal infection as a result, especially if you had to be treated over a long period of time. You might look into tinea and candidiasis as a cause of your itchy foot problems. Generally tinea on the foot is referred to athlete's foot. Yeast can attack areas other than the typical areas (mouth, throat, genitalia) and result in skin inflammations that itch or burn.Hope this helps.

I forgot to add. I suffered from a skin candidiasis and I always noticed that my skin problem was worse at night than in the day and worse after removing my clothes at bedtime. Then the itching really began. It was like I couldn't stop and sometimes I would scratch until the skin bled. You may not even have any obvious skin sores, the skin can just itch as if you have really dry skin, or you might see a tinea like rash that swells or is yellow in the middle of the circles and your skin can feel as if it is on fire.